CBD parking to remain the same

BALLARAT’S parking system is set to remain unchanged following a round of community consultation which was conducted in April.

More than 370 respondents including 27 businesses provided feedback on CBD parking and outdoor dining.

The community was asked about ideas like extending paid parking to 7pm as a way of creating more movement in parking availability and asked residents where they would like to park.

The results of the responses led City of Ballarat staff to decided the current parking system will remain unchanged with respondents indicating things were working well.

Mayor Cr Des Hudson said it is good to confirm that the system is working for the community.

“Parking is always a hot topic in Ballarat, and we thank the community for responding and letting us know what is working well, and what isn’t,” he said.

Results from the survey suggested that people mainly use CBD parking for retail purposes or to visit hospitality venues.

City of Ballarat parking data indicates that between 9am and 5.30pm, 80 per cent of cars parked in the CBD stay for an hour or less, using the first hour free rule.

Car parks located north of Sturt Street are used more than those on the south side and of the 69 parking spaces located at Armstrong Street North, two were occupied for more than three hours a day.

A stamtment from the City of Ballarat said the high turnover of car parking in the CBD suggests that people are parking to quickly drop into venues and those staying in the CBD for longer are parking further away.

The survey also asked about outdoor dining and more than 60 per cent of respondents said they were happy with the current locations.

“Now that the beautiful spring weather is starting to emerge, it’s a great time to dine and socialise outdoors, with a wide range of outdoor dining spaces in the CBD for our residents and visitors to enjoy,” Cr Hudson said.